Jack Ryan Leads the Design and Construction of Schools in Haiti for Plan International

Jack Ryan (FAR Design) is currently leading the design and construction of semi-permanent schools in Haiti for Plan International. Wilbur Yoder is providing the structural engineering review of the design. The semi-permanent school building design is hurricane and earthquake resistant and able to be constructed with a low-skilled work force. In April, Jack traveled to Haiti to present the design to the Haitian Ministry of Education. The Ministry approved the design, making it one of the first approved school designs for the reconstruction of Haiti.

Jack returned to Haiti with Plan International in May as architect and construction supervisor in charge of the construction of the first classrooms to be located in Jacmel. A construction team of fifteen local young men were hired for the construction team. The team had limited to no carpentry experience so carpentry skills had to be taught to them. In two weeks the construction team under Jack’s supervision and guidance were able to complete one classroom module and two others are near completion. The Jacmel construction team will continue to build the classrooms in Jacmel. Construction contracts have been awarded to local construction companies for the first set of eighteen buildings in Croix-des-Bouquets.

Plan International currently plans to build ninety of the classroom buildings in Haiti (two fifty student classrooms per building). Forty of them are to be located in the southern coastal port city of Jacmel and fifty are to be located in the town of Croix-des-Bouquets (Port au Prince). There are hopes to expand the construction program to other locations throughout Haiti.

Founded over 70 years ago, Plan International is one of the oldest and largest children’s development organizations in the world. Plan works in 48 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty.

Plan works with more than 3,500,000 families and their communities each year.
Plan is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations.
Plan’s US national office and headquarters is located in Warwick, RI.

Plan International

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Design Proposal Renderings:

(Tim DeCoster and Nick Croft assisted in the project renderings)